In praise of Ocean Majesty
DAY 1 We arrived a Harwich in good time, parked the car and tipped the porter who took our cases out of the boot. Walked to the terminal to wait in the departure lounge and ‘people watch’ for about half an hour before embarkation opened. We stood to allow an elderly couple to sit and the doors to passport control etc. opened so we were first through. The whole process took less than ten minutes, including being shown to our cabin, and we were sitting in the Majestic Lounge with a beer. I was greeted by name by the barman, Alex even though it was two years since we were last on Ocean Majesty. A late lunch is provided in the Lido Buffet, but since we were not hungry we spent time on deck instead.
Lifeboat drill went smoothly and we showered and changed for second sitting dinner then listened to music in the lounge before descending to the restaurant (the only drawback on the ship, the restaurant has no windows). We were greeted by Sid, the maître’d who is very smooth and very good at his job. He speaks to every table at both sittings, asking if everything is OK and giving bits of information about the following day. We always choose a table for six or eight and introduced ourselves to our dining companions. Our waiter, his assistant and our wine waiter introduced themselves and were attentive and amusing. Two of our little group were vegetarian and were provided with an alternative menu, which changed daily. This is a small ship and while the choice of dishes may not be extensive, the food was always of good quality and always the correct temperature. Being second sitting we were not at all rushed in the restaurant and were always offered a second or even third cup of coffee.
We had not previously been in the habit of spending evenings in the Show Lounge, preferring the Observation Lounge with it’s pianist, however hearing that the entertainment had been ‘revamped’ we were interested to see what was on offer. The Hosts and Hostesses Show was a lovely introduction to the people who would be entertaining us for nearly three weeks and we were very impressed. After the show Mark Bellinger, Cruise Director, took to the stage and opened with ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ which sorted the sheep from the goats as the older end of the audience decided it was not their thing. Mark, backed by a very talented young band ‘Ocean Vibe’ entertained us for another 45 minutes, then the band played for anyone who wanted to dance. Was invited to dance by Craig, young and gorgeous, yes, I know the entertainment staff are paid to dance with fat middle aged women, but it was still fun! Things were looking up on the entertainment front!
DAY 2. At sea. Breakfast in the Lido Buffet, on deck. Wide variety of food to suit every taste but need to eat hot food first unless you want to queue up twice. Waiters were very helpful in finding a table and I was greeted by name again. It can’t just be me, can it? Attended a talk by Peter Holden, RSPB expert, on the wildlife we could expect to see. He was very easy to listen to and very informative. Also very approachable “If I’m on deck with my binoculars on my shoulder, I’m working, come and talk to me.”
Music in the Majestic Lounge, with Mark, before lunch. Very pleasant.
Formal night with Captain’s cocktail party where the officers and entertainment staff are introduced. Cocktails are plentiful and beautifully presented. Craig, the Cruise Manager did the introductions as the Captain’s English, while much better than my Greek, was hesitant. Show lounge in the evening again.
DAY 3. Floro. Apparently we were the first cruise ship to visit Floro, a really pretty place with lovely people who had made an effort to make us welcome, even putting extra staff in the Tourist Information office and closing the main street to traffic. We were given a map detailing recommended walks before going ashore and since it was a lovely day, off we went. A little shopping was in order, I found an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ with needlework and art supplies and kitchen equipment and was pleased with the prices. Norway seems less expensive than it used to – I think UK has caught up! Floro being a very small place, returning to the ship for lunch was not a problem and we ate on deck in the sunshine. The afternoon was spent on another walk, where we saw a lot of birds, which we were able to identify thanks to Peter. We returned to the ship for afternoon tea, where we met Bernard, the best waiter on any cruise ship, anywhere, who had been our waiter on our previous cruise. Are you spotting a pattern here?
The theme of the show was ‘Idols and Icons’ and I was doubtful because I don’t generally like ‘tribute’ acts, but the entertainment staff did a great job, tongue in cheek and I loved it. My husband was propositioned by ‘Dolly Parton’ which made his day. After midnight (small ship, music stops at midnight) Mark hosted a ‘Night Owls’ get together in the cinema which is at the bottom of the ship and out of everyone’s earshot. Only about two dozen attended, so we had a lovely party.
DAY 4. Alesund. Having visited Alesund before, we had already decided to go the Atlantic Sea Park (Aquarium). It’s about 4km out of town so we thought we’d take the bus as it was a very hot day. Long story short, the bus broke down so we walked anyway. It’s a lovely aquarium and we enjoyed the visit, but caught the bus back mid afternoon. Enjoyed a beer on deck before a short walk along the quay prior to changing for dinner. It was ‘Latin’ night in the Show Lounge but the scenery won so we missed it. Apparently it was a really good show with young Craig performing a Ricky Martin set which raised the temperature a bit.
DAY 5. At sea. Loads to do. Scenery and weather great. Saw killer whales at breakfast time. Formal night. During dinner Angelo, who we had met as a barman previously and who is now a wine waiter came from the far end of the dining room to say ‘hello’. Did I say what a friendly ship this is? The show was a ‘Blues Brothers’ tribute. OK, not everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved it!
DAY6. Honningsvag for the North Cape. We had booked the excursion to the North Cape as we had only been much later in the year and wanted to see the difference in June. Not disappointed, there was still plenty of ice and snow around. We stood on the edge of Europe at about 11.45 pm and it started to snow, a few minutes later, just before midnight, the clouds parted and the sun came out! I’ll never know how Page & Moy organised that! Back to the ship for hot soup & mulled wine on deck. The weather had closed in a bit by now and since we had sailed round the North Cape in beautiful sunshine a few years ago, we decided to go to bed.
Day 7. At sea. Lots to do on board. José the Bar Manager hosted a cocktail demonstration, for which there was a small charge. He is such a showman and kept us entertained for far longer than advertised. Needed nap after lunch!

Day 8. Longyearbyen, Svalbard. A shuttle bus was organised into town, but we walked as it was not far. A former mining town, now a research centre with a small museum, a few shops, post office and ‘supermarket’, it did not take long to look round. My husband had a business contact there so we met her for coffee and she drove us as far out of town as the road goes and then on a short tour before taking us back to the ship. If we’d had longer in port, there is a working mining museum that is supposed to be worth a visit, but we did not have time.
QE2 was at anchor and it was lovely to see her on what was probably her last visit so far north. She made a good picture with the snow clad mountains in the background. We only felt a bit superior that the Cunard customers had to queue for their tenders while we could walk straight on board.
Magdalena Fjord. A magical experience, even if it was very cold and a bit snowy. The colour of the glaciers was magnificent. We saw seals and walrus in the water and on the ice, and loads of birds which Peter was happy to identify for us. Jose had invented his own ‘Magdalena’ cocktail of hot chocolate with a mixture of booze added, which was lovely and warming. On leaving the fjord we turned north and cruised to the edge of the ice sheet – well in view of it, which was another first for us.
DAY 8 Ny Alesund. A very remote place and polar research centre with units from all over the world. We were given a route map and warned not to leave the designated walk ways and to beware of the arctic terns who are quite aggressive when nesting. We visited the museum, the shop/post office and walked the route noting various interesting points, and saw and photographed a snow bunting (I know what it was because Peter Holden was there). We returned to the ship and my husband went on deck while I went to warm up and listen to Mark playing guitar and singing in the lounge. I had only been inside a few minutes when said husband came down to say there were whales passing the ship and I should go and look. The whales in question were belugas and there appeared to be dozens, if not hundreds, of them. They were going up the fjord to feed and took over an hour to pass the ship. What an amazing experience!
DAY 9. At sea.
DAY 10. Tromso. I’d done a bit of research before we sailed and knew that I wanted to visit Polaria, a museum devoted to arctic wildlife. It was only a short walk from the ship and with its three tame rescued seals and seal tunnel was definitely worth the visit. We elected to save the trip to the Arctic Cathedral and up the mountain for next time and had a leisurely stroll round town.
DAY 11 At sea.
DAY 12. Lofoten Islands. Knowing that while the Lofoten Islands are very pretty, there’s not much in Leknes on a week day and less on Sunday, we booked an excursion to the Viking Museum. A lovely day to drive across Veservagoy to the museum and well worth it when we got there. The Viking longhouse is a complete reconstruction by the side of the original archaeological site and the guide made us very welcome and said we could touch or try anything since it was all new, but built to the original specification. The visit was timed very well and we boarded the bus for the journey back via a fishing village and a stave church. The guide was knowledgeable, witty and very friendly.
DAY 13. Andalsnes & Molde. Another lovely day in an attractive small town at the end of a railway track. We weren’t here long so had a stroll through town and did a bit of shopping (a Van Morrison CD for my husband and two books in Japanese for me – I’m studying). A bit of music from Mark before lunch and then an early lunch before the excursions got back so we didn’t need to queue. In the afternoon a short sail to Molde to spend the afternoon and early evening there. Yet another beautiful town, with a lot of interesting features including a Folk Museum in a park. Free entry to the park, but nominal charge for entry to the buildings of the museum. Also nice coffee shop. Walked back to the ship through the shops. Unfortunately shops close early in Norway so unable to buy anything.
DAY 14 At sea.
DAY 15 Bergen. It’s supposed to rain a lot in Bergen but this was our third visit in glorious sunshine. Unfortunately Ventura was also in port, so Bergen was more crowded than usual. We waited about ten minutes for the funicular up Mount Floyen but once at the top station we walked a few hundred yards and we were away from the other tourists. It is very beautiful on Mount Floyen with lakes and trees and loads of birds and wildlife. We came very close to a red squirrel who looked at us then ran off. We waited a few minutes and he/she came back and ran straight past us. We must have been on a squirrel highway! After a long walk we reached a refreshment kiosk and bought ice creams and bottles of water and decided to miss lunch and return to the ship for afternoon tea. On the way down to the station we met a marching band on the way up – no idea why. The queue for the funicular was quite long but since we felt we’d walked far enough we decided to wait. Passengers from Ventura were worrying about missing their booked slot for lunch – so much for freedom dining! We finished our day with a stroll along the Bryggen and a little more shopping.
DAY 16. At sea. Again lots to do. Captain’s Farewell Dinner was up to standard with decent Champaign and the usual Baked Alaska on Parade. Excellent show and dancing afterwards and at 1.30 am we were still chatting in the Majestic Lounge – no packing done and cases due outside the cabin at 2 am. Then remembered the time change, so that was OK!
DAY 17. Harwich. Had breakfast on deck and watched ferries coming and going while we waited to be called for disembarkation. Didn’t have to wait long, collected the luggage and walked to the car park – only a couple of hundred yards. Put Van Morrison on the CD player and drove home.